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Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Book Review: My Journey With Vadapav by Venkatesh Iyer

Title: My Journey With Vadapav

Author: Venkatesh Iyer

Publisher: TV18 Broadcast Limited (CNBC TV18)

Review:

Once in a while, you come across a personality who will make
you wonder about the life you have lived — about everything you have learnt and
done; and this thought process might trigger a self introspection of your
being. Venkatesh Iyer is one such personality. ‘My Journey With Vadapav’
is his account of his life that specifically focuses on his rise as the
‘vadapav king’ of India.

To those who know what a vadapav is, your tongue would have
a neat number done on it already with the mere mention of the word. To the
uninitiated, suffice it to say that it is a slice of heaven served hot on a
plate or sometimes just handed over unceremoniously without the associated
fanfare. The presentation doesn’t matter because taste takes over all the other
senses. It started out as a humble street food in several parts of India but is
now regarded as one of the must-haves during the evening cravings. Easily
accessible and similarly easy on the pocket, vadapav has carved for itself a
niche in the food industry.

Venkatesh holds a similar view. This gets evident right from
the onset and continues to do so with every page that you turn. There’s a frank
openness in his voice. He confides in the reader all about his private life — every
emotion, success, frustration, and humiliation associated with his ventures —
very honestly and authentically. His earnestness in sharing what he thinks
might be of use to the others comes across in every page. He admits to failures
and shortcomings, evincing a passionate, come-what-may attitude toward life
that precludes deep introspection and only concentrates on pursuing of one’s
dreams.

There’s so much to glean from Venkatesh’s account of his
journey. It’s an enjoyable ride through and through — a Tam-Bram boy made good,
a regular neighborhood guy who rises to the top through sheer gumption and
force of will. His is a success story that warranted a case study being taught
all over the globe.

An easy yet exemplary read, I’d recommend it to all those
who wish to achieve their dreams. Go grab a bite (pun intended).

Buy Link:

About the Author:

Venkatesh Iyer is the Founder and CEO of Goli Vadapav,
India’s largest national ethnic fast food chain.

From Finance to food, with over 15 years of experience in
corporate finance and investment banking, Venkatesh Iyer has been instrumental
in helping entrepreneurs translate ideas into story boards using his unique
strength of critical thinking, imagination and communication.

One fine day, he decided to change his course and create
what was then called a very creative food revolution! His ultimate dream has
been of “corporatization” of the humble Vada Pav and to see Vada Pav as a brand
amongst the pizzas and burgers of the world. He’s a visionary par excellence
who sees things beyond the obvious and it is this attitude that made his dream
turn into reality!

He has been invited as an inspirational speaker and
delivered more than 250 talks on Goli Vadapav story in India and abroad at
various large entrepreneurial summits and business schools like Harvard, IMD
Switzerland, ISB Hyderabad, etc.

I'd like to thank the author for letting me review the book. I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading!

* I received a review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.